Lyudmila Zhernovskaya19:46, 03/22/24

Smoke is pouring out of the concert hall building.

On the evening of Friday, March 22, in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, unknown persons in camouflage opened fire at people from a machine gun.

According to Russian media, the incident occurred before the start of the concert of the Picnic group. Eyewitnesses said that the man opened fire from a machine gun and also threw firecrackers. At least 12 killed and 35 wounded were reported.

First, videos were published online showing people hiding from the shooter in a building. It later became known that there could have been two or three attackers. In one of the videos you can see two masked men entering the building and shooting. 

Updated at 19:50: A serious fire broke out in the building. It is unknown how many people are inside.

Updated at 20:00: They write online that the fire is not being extinguished because they are waiting for special forces to arrive. Meanwhile, the roof had already begun to collapse.

Updated at 20:25: According to media reports, 50 people have already been killed and more than a hundred injured. Several attackers may have barricaded themselves inside the building. Eyewitnesses describe what happened as follows:

“We just got out of there, we barely made it out… just animal horror. We’re running, and there’s a burst of machine gun fire behind us.”

“They hid in some corner, there was a crush on the escalator, they broke the glass doors with their hands and feet… You can’t describe all the horror.”

“At least five people, bearded. They act like prepared and trained militants. At the moment of entering the building, they killed the guards and people standing at the doors. Then they blocked the main entrance. The terrorists are armed with AKM assault rifles. Some are carrying unloadings with various ammunition. At least two “The attackers are carrying backpacks, possibly containing Molotov cocktail.”

Updated at 20:35:  Security forces stormed the building. Intelligence services believe that the attackers may remain in Crocus City Hall and prepare for battle.

As a result of the attack, many people died, the bodies were taken out from another exit, writes the Cheka-OGPU.

Updated at 20:40:  The Siren plan has been introduced in Moscow, police personnel are being assembled for reinforcements. Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo airports, as well as Russian Railways, have strengthened security measures.

Updated at 20:50:  The attackers could have risen from the underground parking, Russian media write. According to other sources, they managed to escape. 

Firefighters are extinguishing the roof of the building, and helicopters are also being used to release water.

Updated at 21:20:  The Russian FSB reported that the attack, according to preliminary data, killed 40 people. The building continues to burn 

According to eyewitnesses, Crocus was attacked from three sides by young men in camouflage, some wearing bulletproof vests. Judging by the published videos, they started shooting people on the street.

There could have been up to 6,200 people in the room as the concert sold out. They also write that the guards did not have firearms, only batons and stun guns

Updated at 21:55: According to Baza, the terrorists allegedly fled in a white sedan. There may be several armed men in green camouflage suits in the car.

Updated at 22:00: Heavy shooting began in Crocus, there are three special forces groups there. At the same time, it is reported that one of the attackers could have been detained.

Updated at 22:25:  The fire area is almost 13,000 sq.m. People are not advised to go outside, as there is a risk of poisoning from combustion products.

Updated at 22:45:  Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Moscow Region, Ksenia Mishonova, reported that there were children among the victims.

Updated at 23:00:  Some of the exits at Crocus were closed, eyewitnesses complained.

Updated at 23:15:  Terrorists arrived at the building in a white Renault,” they write online. Security forces are now looking for the car.

Updated at 23:25: According to the Cheka-OGPU, burnt camouflages were found on the second floor under the stairs. The attackers could change clothes and leave the building. It is believed that there were five or six of them.

Updated at 23:27:  An ISIS statement is allegedly being circulated online, in which they claim responsibility for the terrorist attack in Moscow. 

Updated at 23:45: The number of victims during the terrorist attack in Crocus has increased to 146, many are in serious condition, TASS writes.

It is also reported that the Russian Guard left the Crocus City Hall building due to heavy smoke and the impossibility of staying there any longer.

Meanwhile, the media report that three natives of Ingushetia are suspected of shooting in the Moscow region. 

Updated at 00:00:  There are people, including children, in the basement of Crocus Hall. The victims are suffocating from smoke.

Updated at 00:15: The fire has already been localized. It is reported that the terrorists may have had plastic containers with gasoline in their backpacks, which they set on fire.

Updated at 00:30: The bodies of the dead continue to be taken out of the building, reports Sever.Realii.

Terrorist attack in Moscow

(C)UNIAN 2024